Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has expressed disappointment at not getting called up for Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, Soccernet.ng reports.
Onyeka has had a good campaign with Augsburg following his loan transfer from Brentford last summer. The 27-year-old has registered two assists in 28 appearances for Augsburg. He has become an important member of the team, helping them to 11th in the Bundesliga.
However, despite his good displays this season, Onyeka was not called up for Nigeria's games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. The Brentford-owned midfielder was initially named in the provisional squad, but he did not make the final cut.
Eventually, Nigeria picked up four points from both games, beating Rwanda and drawing against Zimbabwe.
In a recent interview, Onyeka explained how he felt about missing out on the games.
“I was quite sad about it, but the coach knows best, he knows what players he wants to use,” Onyeka told Oma Akatugba.
“But hopefully in the next couple of games I'll be available. I'm always available, so hopefully I'll be with the team.”
Following the disappointing result against Zimbabwe, Nigeria now sit fourth in Group C of the World Cup Qualifiers, six points off leaders South Africa.
The future looks very break for them, and it looks like Nigeria will miss a second consecutive World Cup. However, Onyeka is a bit more optimistic,.as he believes the Super Eagles will win all their remaining games and qualify.
“We are in a difficult situation, but there's still chance for us, we just need to win our next four games and hopefully we'll qualify,” ‘Onyeka added.
Frank Onyeka will still return to the Super Eagles
With the way that Onyeka has played for Augsburg this season, he will still get back into the Super Eagles fold.
In the draw against Zimbabwe, Nigeria needed an extra midfielder, but coach Eric Chelle did not notice that. A player with Onyeka's high intensity would have done Nigeria a lot of good.
So going into the next run of games, Onyeka could return to the team.
